Shocks and Torsion bars - poor handling '2011 - . . .

[JBMorris]

'Just bought a 2011 XLT and have some problems with a choppy ride.
Window sticker that came w/ the ride said "gas shock absorbers" - is this a must have for this year?
last time ever with a torsion bar was in a 50's Plymouth wagon.
How does one tell if the bars were tweaked out ?
Already put half of what paid for it to put back into it - trying to make a runner for another 50k- has 150 on it .

 

[franklin2]

Nothing added to the rear springs? No helpers or anything like that back there?

 

[superj]

some where on here, in the tech areas, is how to set the torsion bars to their correct heights. rasing them sure makes a rough rider. i haven them also on my ranger

 

[Roert42]

Window sticker that came w/ the ride said "gas shock absorbers" - is this a must have for this year?

They all came with shocks from the factory, I'm sure they wouldn't have put them on there if they thought it would be ride fine without it.

 

[JBMorris]

R42
Tks - just bought this with 150 k on it.
All new shocks & brakes were put on right after purchase.
The shocks are spec'd as Sub Model: Sport - from the service shop - not sure what that means.
'bought this on a hope & a prayer - never drove an original setup.

 

[Ranger850]

Sub model SPORT would be middle of the line up. Not too soft, not too stiff

 

[pjtoledo]

"gas shock absorbers" means the shocks have pressurized gas (nitrogen?) in them. that keeps the oil from foaming during use.


older shocks were not pressurized so the oil foamed during use, and the shock lost its effectiveness until the bubbles settled out.

 

[rubydist]

When I bought the 09 FX4, it had new cheap shocks on it. So I bought a set of the factory Rancho ones and put on it. The front ones are way too soft and it bounces multiple times over large bumps on the freeway. The 03 had factory Bilsteins and they were way better. I recommend you buy a set of Bilsteins for the front and put those on.